Ones to Watch: BIG E Denim

At this season’s SEEK trade show, British denim enthusiasts BIG E presented a well-edited collection of handcrafted workwear silhouettes inspired by the golden days of the Levi’s Big E era.

Following the dedication to the tradition of Levi’s legendary Big E garments (1936 to 1971), designer and founder, Mark Westmoreland (former Levi’s and Evisu designer) draws on the rich history of these archival designs. Details like copper rivets, Cone red-line selvedge denim and gold chain-stitching honor the spirit and original character of Levi’s designs, while the arcuate stitch detail on the rear pockets are shaped like San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge – a testament to the brand’s humble beginnings. The classic, workwear-inspired designs pool American and Japanese elements, combining the highest standards of quality, fit and craftsmanship that bring the brand in line with the best selvedge jeans in the world.

The forthcoming collection features a selection of workwear-inspired separates including a Type II style trucker and classic Western style shirt that feature the brand’s Golden Gate arcuate, discreetly folded selvedge detail on each right hand pocket and a “BIG E” red tab on the left breast pocket. The jeans are packed with hard-wearing features designed to stand the test of time. They are copper-riveted at the traditional stress points, feature heavy 10oz pockets to aid durability and longevity, and are neatly finished with a leather brand patch on the rear.

One part of BIG E that sets it apart is that there are no automated machines used for production; every single step is completed by hand using Union Special machines. To create the authentic character of the brand, each garment and design detail was carefully considered and loosely based on the original collector’s items, while keeping the needs and demands of the modern wearer in mind.

COMMENTS

Eddie

Aside from the unfortunate choice of brand name, which i reckon turn off some denimheads, i reckon Big E is really Big on quality. Okay so i know the name is paying homage to Levi’s history but others may not see it that way. Personally i own 2 pair of Big E jeans and a denim jacket and they are fantastic in terms of selvedge denim quality, solid robust construction and good fitting. I benchmark them against other brands that i wear like Naked & Famous, Imperial, Nudie & The Flat Head. To me Big E is right up there. Actually i place Big E above Naked & Famous and Nudie. As a denim enthusiast, i simply love the texture and fades on my Big E jeans. For the record i am not affiliated with Big E in any shape or form.

Amazing jeans. I got the “Elvis” model and they are by far the best jeans I ever had. Way better constructed than Nudies or the well known denim brands and on par with premium denim brands like N&F and Samurai. The “Elvis” model is a slim fitting pair which fit is just amazing. I can’t speak highly enough of this brand which was totally unknown to me and I just found by accident. I am too not affiliated with Big E in any form.

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Amy Leverton’s 10 years of experience working in denim design and trend analysis have made her an undisputed expert on indigo. Her years of attending fabric and apparel shows and connecting and working with mills and laundries have provided her with vast industry connections. Needless to say, her jeans collection is pretty impressive, too.

Prior to joining WGSN, Sam studied Fashion Merchandise Management at the University of Westminster in London, where he completed a 6-month internship at Stylesight during a study exchange in New York. Sam’s budding denim knowledge has been propelled through his experience at premium high street retailer Allsaints, which also helped develop his discerning taste for subtle denim details and original workwear brands.